I'd like to hope I'm not quite institutionalised, but the industry is very dysfunctional (I like to think that if I was institutionalised I'd be more amenable to getting onto the leadership treadmill - as it is, there's no way I want a part of that insufferable self-serving nonsense. Not that I can say that anywhere out loud).
How can I demonstrate 'the right attitude'? (I'm quite good at having the 'wrong' attitude in a school, asking all those difficult questions & pointing out that all the "new" initiatives are just rebranded old ones 😆)
That attitude right there - the worn-out, cynical, closed-minded, management are idiots, this whole thing is pointless attitude....I'd be very worried about that, I'd worry about how you turn that around to not infect our team with your negativity - asking challenging questions is good but you need to know when to shut up. You have been worn down with years of shit - the years of shit is also the problem. I'd expect any of our team to not put up with years of shit, if they weren't happy with us - I'd expect them to manage their career and personal development so they didn't reach this point.
Our team are shiny and enthusiastic, open to change and new ideas - they give things a go, eager to learn, to try out and suggest new management initiatives...some don't work, some do but we don't have the energy for negative, cynical, battle weary team members who suck the energy out of the room because they are fed up with trying new things.
I have worked with people who have tried to make the move from the misery of the public sector to private sector and they couldn't shake it, they were shaped by the daily battle, it was who they were - they moaned about everything - they don't act they moan even about the good stuff.
That's my concern so I'd be looking to test how flexible you were to change, that you weren't a moaner -you are ready for genuine change and you'd have to convince me because I'd see you as a risky hire. We hire on attitude first - even if you are really bright - if your attitude is off - you won't get a job with us.
On a more positive note - given your working timetable you could apply to internships, they operate over the summer for 6 weeks and many can be flexible on these dates, you get paid at least min wage - it would be an opportunity for you to experience a different work environment, understand how well you'd cope with going back to the beginning (and not behaving like the teacher in the room with your new shiny young colleagues) - your employer would see how you work in a different environment - it's a great way for both employer and employee to test whether they fit together.